Debt Collection

Robert Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 15 July 2009, Official Report, column 435W, on debt collection, what representations (a) his Department and (b) HM Courts Service have received on collecting debts through credit card payment.

Bridget Prentice
In considering the extension of credit and debit card facilities to remaining regions within HMCS the opinions of various groups within the debt industry (eg the Citizens Advice Bureau) were sought.

Those consulted expressed some concern that accepting credit card payments for a debt, particularly one which may have arisen from a consumer credit debt, may exacerbate a debtor’s difficulties. However, it was widely recognised that the introduction of credit and debit card facilities would be welcomed among the large majority of responsible court users where a debt has arisen from a genuine dispute for a small claim and that not providing these facilities would be denying those debtors a very convenient way to pay their debt.

All courts who have introduced credit and debit card facilities have found them to be extremely useful, allowing them to operate more efficiently. There is high demand from other courts, based on customer feedback, to introduce the facilities on a wider basis.

Robert Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 15 July 2009, Official Report, column 435W, on debt collection, what the timetable is for completion of the evaluation of the scheme of taking debt payments by debit and credit card.

Bridget Prentice
The national roll out of credit and debit card facilities is currently under consideration. The timetable for the introduction of these facilities has not yet been finalised.

Mr. Stewart Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 15 July 2009, Official Report, column 435W, on debt collection, if he will place in the Library a copy of the evaluation report by HM Courts Service on accepting credit card payments.

Bridget Prentice
The national roll out of credit and debit card facilities is currently under consideration. The timetable for the introduction of these facilities has not yet been finalised. The evaluation report will be published during the spring.